Exactly How You Should Be Washing, Exfoliating, and Moisturizing Your Face

Wearing makeup? Remove it first with an oil-based product, like the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, $29, clinique.com Sure, it's an extra step, but as Ciafardini points out, "Makeup can be really tenacious, especially these days." (She equates cleansing your face while wearing makeup to "getting in the shower with your clothes on.") Next, pump liquid cleanser onto wet hands and apply, concentrating on the T-zone and working it onto the skin for up to a minute. Think of it like a massage with gentle pressure while working in circular motion, suggests Rachel Long, co-founder of FaceLove Fitness Studio in Manhattan. Rinse generously with water and pat dry with a clean towel.

As we age, exfoliation becomes the key to all that is radiant and glowing in this world. "When we're young, the skin cells on the bottom layer migrate to the top and come off on their own, like leaves falling off a tree," explains dermatologist David Bank, M.D. In adulthood, a shove is sometimes required. Post-cleanse, saturate a cotton ball with an exfoliating lotion and sweep it down the T-zone, across the forehead, down the nose, and once over each cheek. It's the sweeping action of the cotton combined with the active ingredient that helps loosen those stubborn dead cells. Be careful not to over-expose: If you're using other exfoliators like retinol or scrubs, alternate them with the lotion to avoid irritation. Try Clinique Clarifying Lotion, $14.50 to $24, clinique.com.

Now that your skin is clean and smooth, it's time to lock in some moisture—even for those with oil-prone complexions. "The most important thing is to get water back into the skin, which helps keep that uppermost barrier layer working at its best," says Dr. Bank (Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, $26, clinique.com, is a good oil-free option). Take a few pumps of moisturizer or a dollop of cream and apply in an upward motion all over the face. Don't forget your cheeks, which Ciafardini says is an oft-ignored spot. Get extra credit points for eye cream at night and sunscreen in the morning. We like L'Occitane Immortelle Precious Eye Balm, $40, usa.loccitane.com and Supergoop! City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30, $42, sephora.com.

The real beauty of this hardworking routine? Start to finish, it can be done faster than the time it takes to decide what to play from your Netflix queue. "You can do this in less than three minutes," promises Ciafardini.

Makeup: Nina Parks at The Wall Group

Hair: Cameron Rains at The Wall Group

Stylist: Almudena Guerra at The Wall Group